Bhubaneswar: The third pilgrimage train under the Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana (BNTYY) for the financial year 2026–27 was virtually flagged off today by Suresh Pujari, Minister, Revenue and Disaster Management, from Lokseva Bhawan Bhubaneswar.
The pilgrimage train, which commenced its journey from Sambalpur Railway Station, is carrying 775 senior citizens and 25 escort officers from eight districts of Odisha- Sambalpur, Anugola, Baragada, Balangir, Jharsuguda, Subarnapur, Sundargada and Deogada. The pilgrims will undertake a spiritual journey to the revered pilgrimage destinations of Varanasi and Ayodhya.
The Baristha Nagarika Tirtha Yatra Yojana has been designed to facilitate senior citizens of Odisha in undertaking pilgrimages to important religious destinations through a safe, organised and coordinated travel experience. Designated escort officers accompany the pilgrims throughout the journey to ensure necessary assistance and coordination.
As part of the present pilgrimage, the senior citizens will visit Varanasi and Ayodhya, providing them an opportunity to experience the spiritual, religious and cultural heritage of these historic destinations. The pilgrimage train is scheduled to return to Sambalpur on 27 September 2026.
The virtual inauguration was witnessed by senior officials and dignitaries at Sambalpur Railway Station, including Sangram Keshari Mohapatra, RDC, Sambalpur, Siddheshwar Baliram Bondar, Collector & District Magistrate, Sambalpur; Rehan Khatri, Commissioner, Sambalpur Municipal Corporation and Sudhansu Kumar Bhoi, ADM, Sambalpur, among others.
The commencement of the third pilgrimage train under BNTYY during FY 2026–27 reaffirms the State Government’s commitment to facilitating safe and meaningful pilgrimage experiences for senior citizens and enabling them to undertake journeys of faith, devotion and cultural discovery.
